Flint Hills Rodeo will open Friday in Strong City
By Brandy Nance
Originally published 01:10 p.m., June 2, 2008
Updated 01:10 p.m., June 2, 2008
Saddle ’em up and grab the cooler — it’s once again time for the Flint Hills Rodeo in Strong City.
Cowboys, cowgirls and spectators will gather in Strong City on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the annual rodeo. The Flint Hills Rodeo started in a pasture in Chase County in 1937. The rodeo celebrated its 70th year last year.
“The story of the Flint Hills Rodeo is what I call a braided tale,” the Flint Hills Rodeo Web site states. “The Roberts family (the founders), community people, local ranching, the Rodeo board, and the Flint Hills themselves are woven often seamlessly into its history. Additional plaits in the braid are weather, the parade, rodeo, cowboys and cowgirls and stock.”
This year’s event promises not only the rodeo but a host of other events to keep rodeo fans busy through the entire weekend. Additional events include concerts, tradeshows, a rodeo parade, dances and a Sunday church service. This year’s corporate sponsors are Budweiser, Dodge and Palenske Ranch. The rodeo is sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association and is a Dodge Series Rodeo, Kansas Lottery Championship Series Rodeo and a member of the Kansas Association of Rodeo Committees.
The rodeo schedule is as follows:
Friday — 5 p.m., tradeshow and vendors on grounds; 8 p.m. rodeo; 10 p.m. rodeo dance with Matt Engels.
Saturday — 2 p.m., rodeo parade; 5 p.m., tradeshow and vendors on grounds; 5 p.m. kids’ stick horse rodeo on dance floor; 8 p.m. rodeo with crowning of rodeo princess; 10 p.m. rodeo dance with Powder River Band.
Sunday — 10:45 a.m., church service in the arena; 12:30 p.m., kids’ stick horse rodeo on dance floor; 2 p.m. rodeo.
Get your tickets
• Advance tickets are available through Thursday discounted to $10 for reserved seating. Visa and MasterCard are accepted for advance sales. Call (620) 273-6480 during business hours. If no answer, leave a message.
• Starting Friday, reserved seats will be $12, adult general admission $9 and children 12 and under general admission $7.